Retirees learned about the governor’s plan to secure their retirement stability.

News Ten’s Dalfred Jones was there and has details.

For 60 years, the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association has gone to bat for retired Louisiana educators. That fight continued during the most recent legislative session and everybody was brought up to speed during the LRTA fall meeting.

As day 3 of the fall meeting kicked off, retired educators were accompanied by Louisiana’s First Lady, Donna Edwards, and Governor John Bel Edwards as the Keynote Speaker.

Making sure that they understand that I remain committed to making sure they have security and a dignity in retirement which is what we as a state over them after their career of dedicated public service.

One highlight of the meeting was Governor Edwards announcing he signed into law a cost of living adjustment, also known as ‘COLA” for retired teachers.

It’s a small but I think meaningful, gesture on part of the state of Louisiana.

The teachers were gratified because they were entitled to that benefit last year. We had a governor and legislators who supported that.

The reason “COLA” is so important to teachers is because state retirees don’t have social security benefits.

Governor Edwards says legislators need to be mindful of that fact.

Our obligation is to pay for benefits to allow them security and dignity that they were promised and that we actually owe them. We’re going to continue to work together to make sure that that is the state going forward.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association, visit LRTA dot net.